|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447092879481 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- sarah.norbert1@hotmail.com
Fraud email example:
From: "Sarah Norbert" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sarah.norbert1@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 02:46:31 +0200
Subject: Notification of Bequest
I write on behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the Estate of Late Sir. Martin Wilczek.
I wish to notify you that late Sir. Martin Wilczek made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Five Million, One Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$5,100.000.00) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will. Being a widely travel led man; you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good.
Sir Martin Wilczek until his death was a former managing Director and Pioneer staff of Global Galleries. He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Sir Martin Wilczek died on the 9th day of February 2004 at the age of 90 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to help the poor and the needy.
Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible via my direct email address as shown below to enable me conclude my job.
Email: sarah.norbert1@hotmail.com
Also do send me your telephone number so I can call you for further clarification on this matter. I hope to hear from you on the hour.
Legally yours,
Sarah Norbert, Esq. (Partner)
B. Wright & Associates
Tel/Fax: +44 709 287 9481
|
Anti-fraud resources:
